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Life Skills: Job Search and Applications

Two-Week Complete Program

Master job searching and application skills step by step!

Program Overview

Week 1: Job Search Fundamentals

Day 1: What is a Job? Day 1
Day 2: Where to Look for Jobs Day 2
Day 3: Reading Job Ads Day 3
Day 4: What Employers Want Day 4
Day 5: Personal Skills and Interests Day 5

Week 2: Job Application Mastery

Day 6: Parts of a Job Application Day 6
Day 7: Personal Information Section Day 7
Day 8: Work Experience and Education Day 8
Day 9: Practicing Job Applications Day 9
Day 10: Review and Interview Basics Day 10
How to Use This Presentation:
• Use the day buttons at the top to jump to any lesson
• Use the Previous/Next buttons to go slide by slide
• Each day builds on the previous lessons
• Take your time and practice what you learn!

Day 1: What is a Job?

Understanding work and different types of jobs

Our Goal: Understand what a job is and see different types of jobs people do.

What is a Job?

A job is work that people do to earn money.


When you have a job, you:

Why Do People Work?

Different Types of Jobs

Restaurant

Cook, Server, Cashier

Store

Cashier, Stocker, Greeter

Hospital

Nurse, Helper, Cleaner

School

Teacher, Helper, Cleaner

What Makes a Good Worker?

Day 2: Where to Look for Jobs

Job search locations and resources

Our Goal: Know where to look when we want to find a job.

Places Where You Can Find Jobs

Stores and Restaurants

Look for "Help Wanted" signs in windows

Newspapers

Check the "Help Wanted" section

Internet

Job websites and company pages

Friends and Family

Ask people you know about jobs

Help Wanted Signs

These are signs that businesses put up when they need workers.

Look for these signs in:

  • Store windows
  • Restaurant doors
  • Business bulletin boards
  • Community centers

Looking for Jobs Online

Good websites to check:

  • Indeed.com
  • Company websites (like McDonald's, Walmart)
  • Local government websites
  • Your school's job board

Remember: Ask for help from a trusted adult when using the internet to look for jobs.

Day 3: Reading Job Ads

Understanding help wanted signs and job postings

Our Goal: Learn to read job ads and find the important information.

Key Parts of Every Job Ad

Job Title

What the job is called

Company Name

Where you would work

Location

Where the job is located

⏰ Hours

When you would work

Pay

How much money you'll earn

How to Apply

What you need to do to get the job

Sample Job Ad

CASHIER WANTED

Company: Tony's Pizza Palace

Location: 123 Main Street, Downtown

Hours: Part-time, evenings and weekends

Pay: $12 per hour

Requirements: Friendly, good with money, reliable

Duties: Take orders, handle money, help customers

How to Apply: Apply in person, ask for Manager Sarah

Watch Out for Red Flags

These might be scams or bad jobs:

  • "Make $500 a day working from home"
  • "No experience needed, huge pay!"
  • "Pay money to get this job"
  • No company name or address listed
Remember: If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Day 4: What Employers Want

Skills and qualities employers look for

Our Goal: Understand what makes someone a great employee that bosses want to hire.

Top 5 Qualities Employers Look For

Reliability

Shows up on time, every time

Positive Attitude

Friendly, helpful, and pleasant

Strong Work Ethic

Works hard and takes pride in their job

Willingness to Learn

Asks questions and wants to improve

Teamwork

Works well with others

Do's and Don'ts

DO:

  • Arrive on time or early
  • Be friendly and helpful
  • Listen to directions
  • Ask questions when confused
  • Work as part of a team

DON'T:

  • Show up late without calling
  • Have a bad attitude
  • Ignore what your boss says
  • Lie or be dishonest
  • Only do the bare minimum

Day 5: Personal Skills and Interests

Identifying personal strengths for job matching

Our Goal: Identify your strengths and interests to find the perfect job match for YOU.

Types of Skills

People Skills

Being good with others: helping, listening, communicating

Hands-On Skills

Working with your hands: building, fixing, cooking, cleaning

Thinking Skills

Using your mind: reading, math, solving problems

Creative Skills

Making things: drawing, decorating, coming up with ideas

Matching Your Skills to Jobs

1
Good with people → Customer service, receptionist, teacher's aide
2
Good at organizing → Janitor, housekeeper, store organizer
3
Good at cooking → Kitchen helper, restaurant prep cook
4
Good with numbers → Cashier, data entry, inventory helper

Day 6: Parts of a Job Application

Understanding application sections and requirements

Today's Goal: Learn what a job application is and what information it asks for.

Main Parts of Every Job Application

Personal Information

Your name, address, phone number, and email

Education

What school you went to and when you graduated

Work Experience

Any jobs you've had before (even small ones!)

References

People who can say good things about you

Tips for Success

Day 7: Personal Information Section

Filling out contact details and personal information

Our Goal: Learn to fill out your personal information correctly and neatly.

Full Name

DO:

  • Use your full legal name
  • Include your middle name or initial
  • Write clearly in print letters
  • Check spelling carefully

DON'T:

  • Use nicknames only
  • Use cursive handwriting
  • Abbreviate unless asked
  • Leave out middle name

Email Address

Good Email Examples:

  • sarah.johnson@email.com
  • sjohnson2005@gmail.com
  • sarahjohnson456@yahoo.com

Bad Email Examples:

  • partygirl2005@email.com
  • ihateschool@email.com
  • crazyteen456@email.com

Day 8: Work Experience and Education

Listing school and work history

Our Goal: Learn how to list your school and work history, even if you don't have much experience yet.

Education Section

EDUCATION EXAMPLE

School Name: Springfield High School

Location: Springfield, MO

Years Attended: 2021 - Present

Diploma/Certificate: High School Diploma (Expected May 2025)

No Work Experience Yet?

Family Responsibilities

Babysitting siblings, helping with family business

Volunteer Work

Helping at church, school events, community service

School Activities

Sports teams, clubs, student government

Projects

Organizing events, fundraising, helping neighbors

Day 9: Practicing Job Applications

Complete application practice with real forms

Our Goals: Practice filling out real job applications from start to finish, perfectly and confidently.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1
Read the entire application first
2
Start with personal information
3
Fill out education section
4
Complete work experience
5
Add references
6
Review everything carefully

Common Mistakes vs Success Tips

Common Mistakes:

  • Using pencil
  • Leaving sections blank
  • Messy handwriting
  • Spelling errors
  • Wrong information

Success Tips:

  • Take your time
  • Ask for help if needed
  • Be honest
  • Show enthusiasm
  • Follow up politely

Day 10: Review and Interview Basics

Program wrap-up and interview preparation

Our Goals: Review job application skills and learn how to handle your first job interview confidently.

What is a Job Interview?

A job interview is a conversation between you and the employer.

The employer wants to know:

  • Are you a good fit for the job?
  • Will you be reliable?
  • Do you really want this job?
  • Can you work well with others?

You want to know:

  • What will I do in this job?
  • What are the hours and pay?
  • What is the workplace like?
  • When do I start?

Common Interview Questions

Good news: You can practice answers to these questions ahead of time!

Congratulations!

You've Earned These Skills:

Job Searcher
Application Pro
Professional
Goal Achiever
Team Player
Ready to Work

You now have the confidence and skills to find and apply for jobs successfully!